Mark Robert Visser (born 9 March 1983) is an Australian big wave surfer and ocean adventurer. He is the 2014/15 Big Wave Paddle-in Champion and 3x runner up for the ASL Big Wave Awards. His dedication to the sport is unprecedented with intense training regimes and freakish skills, he is known as one of the fittest waterman in the world. He spends his time tracking down some of the biggest waves on the planet utilising innovative technology and pioneers unique ways to surf them. Marks feats are not only about surfing, but adventure, exploration and survival.

Visser is renowned for achieving a night ride on 30–40 ft face waves at Jaws, Maui, globally known as ‘Night Rider’.[1][2] This night ride is the start for an upcoming adventure documentary called ‘Nine Lives’ which Visser is currently working on.[3]

Visser learned to swim when he was nine and started surfing when he was ten.[citation needed] In his junior years he represented Australia in the Australian School boys team that competed in the Australasian Tournament in New Zealand, finishing 4th in the Taranaki final. He also represented Queensland in his junior year in the Australian Titles in the Open Division.[citation needed]

Mark spent three years competing on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) ASP world tour before focusing on big wave surf events. Visser's past achievements include: 5th in the 2006/2007 APT tow-in tour event in Chile, 7th in the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Paddle In event USA, and runner up in the 2008/2009, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 OakleyASL Big Wave Awards. He has also had several waves entered into the XXL awards for biggest wave ridden. Mark won the 2014/15 Big Wave Paddle-in ASL Big Wave Awards.[4]

Mark Visser is currently working on an adventure documentary called ‘Nine Lives’. The documentary involves never before seen technology and breath taking world first feats of human strength and endurance.[5]

On 20 January, Mark Visser was the first person to surf the infamous Jaws break in Maui at night. He rode 30–40 foot waves in the notoriously dangerous outer reef, illuminated by specially engineered LED lights built into his buoyancy vest and modified into in to his surfboard.[1][2] This world first is globally known as ‘Night Rider’.[2][4]

Marks second project follows Visser and his team as they parachute out of a specialized aircraft with their jet skis and surfboards into storm swells miles out to sea in search of ‘freak’ waves. No athlete has ever gone to these lengths to find them, let alone surf them.[6]

'Operation Night Rider' won an 'Australian Cinematography Award' in the category of 'Documentaries, Cinema & TV'.[7] Cameraman Drew Llewellyn captured the historic moment from a helicopter which won him a bronze award (1 x gold and 2 x bronze awards were issued).[7]

Mark Visser has several specialised trainers who have developed programs for water and land consisting of exercises specific to the demands of big wave surfing. These exercises include training his body to cope potentially dangerous situations, such as extended periods of submersion without oxygen which has created interest from the U.S. Navy SEALs.[10][11] Before submerging Mark does not take a breath, and after expelling all the air in his lungs, he can sink to the bottom of the pool and wait for 1 minute and 30 seconds before swimming the length of a 50 meter Olympic swimming pool underwater (view training drill http://www.markvisser.net/videos/22).[12] Visser can also hold his breath underwater for 6 minutes and 4 seconds.[13]

In July 2011, Visser, along with his brother Kevin and a group of local surfers James Hick, Marty Paradisis and Mike Brennan, took on what leading forecaster Ben Macartney reported as one of the biggest swells seen on Australian charts. The group braved severe hailstorms and 157 km/h winds and icy waters to conquer waves rearing up to 4m. This particular surfing trip prompted the surfers to paddle in, rather than tow, taking the degree of difficulty to dangerous heights.[14]